June 7 – The quiz show craze begins with the premiere of The 64,000 Dollar Question. The series spawns many imitations, including Twenty One the next year, which would later be the focus of a scandal that would result in congressional hearings.

December 25 – After being broadcast by radio since 1932, the Royal Christmas Message is broadcast on British television for the first time, in sound only at 3.00pm. The first visual Christmas message is shown in 1957.